More and more adventuresome gardeners are placing container plantings into their landscapes. Seen more regularly in established botanical gardens and arboreta, homeowners are now discovering the versatility of having containers of colorful annuals, perennials and even hardy trees and shrubs designed into landscapes.

The selection of containers ranges from glazed pottery and terra cotta pots to simple chimney flues and hanging baskets. Plantings of hardy perennials can form the main theme and then you can accent with annual color. Using the "thriller, filler and spiller" method of mixing plants, choose focal plants, fill in with mounding plants and soften container edges with cascading plants.